If you’ve been in this business a while, you’ve seen how much has changed—and how much hasn’t. The core values of our industry—craftsmanship, relationships, and a firm handshake—are still at the center of everything we do. But the pace of business? That’s a different story.
Today, more than ever, we’re being asked to do more with less. Tighter timelines, evolving customer expectations, growing product catalogs—it’s a lot to keep up with. And while there’s no shortage of new tools and technologies out there, the real question is: how do we make them work for us?
That’s where I think we, as an industry, have a real opportunity.
From artificial intelligence to process automation, technology is reshaping how businesses operate across every sector. And while our industry has always been built on tradition, we can’t afford to ignore the very real advantages these tools bring to the table. I’m not talking about replacing people—I’m talking about freeing them up to focus on the work that really matters.
AI can help streamline repetitive tasks, spot inconsistencies before they become problems, and even offer insights that would take hours to dig up manually. Whether it's forecasting demand, optimizing inventory, or just making sense of the data we already have, these tools give us the edge we need to compete smarter—not harder.
But embracing new technology isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about solving problems. If there’s a process in your business that constantly eats up time, chances are there’s a tool out there to help fix it. Sometimes, it’s as simple as automating a form or centralizing data entry. Other times, it’s adopting a platform that connects systems in a more efficient way. Either way, these small wins add up.
In the Shooting Sports Industry, we’ve seen this firsthand in our own work to reduce inefficiencies across the supply chain. One of our priorities over the past few years has been helping the industry move toward more standardized, streamlined data processes. That’s what led to tools like VAULT—designed to eliminate redundancy and bring clarity to product information management. It’s not a silver bullet, but it’s part of a bigger shift toward smarter operations.
VAULT is designed to take the headaches out of managing product data in the shooting sports industry. Instead of juggling spreadsheets, chasing down specs, or reformatting files for every partner, VAULT gives businesses a centralized, streamlined way to upload, manage, and share accurate product information. Manufacturers enter data once and control who sees it, distributors get cleaner feeds with less manual work, and retailers benefit from more reliable listings. It’s about cutting out redundancy, reducing errors, and saving time—so you can focus on building your business, not cleaning up data.
And that shift goes beyond one solution. It’s about a mindset. It's about looking at your business with fresh eyes and asking: What can we simplify? Where are we wasting time and money? How could our team be more productive?
Because the truth is, we can’t keep solving tomorrow’s problems with yesterday’s systems.
Change doesn’t have to mean overhauling everything overnight. In fact, some of the most impactful improvements start with small steps. Start by identifying your bottlenecks. Ask your team where they spend the most time on low-value tasks. Look for ways to bring clarity and structure to the chaos.
As always, NASGW is here to support that process. Whether it’s through data insights, collaboration tools, or conversations with peers facing similar challenges, we’re committed to helping our members build stronger, more efficient businesses.
The technology is here. The opportunity is in how we choose to use it.
If we lean into these changes with the same thoughtfulness and work ethic that built this industry in the first place, there’s no doubt in my mind—we’ll come out ahead.
Let’s keep pushing forward.
Until next time,
Bill Sumner
NASGW Chairman of the Board